Into the shit

Our route yesterday was provided by our host, David and a shorter one at 60km.  Beautiful rocky gorges, dead quite roads, on super smooth tarmac, just so good. The Spanish certainly take good care of their roads, keep cyclists in mind on those uphills with undulating increase in elevations, rather than 'there's a hill, let's get a road straight up and over'.   

We head up and over the Portixol climb, past a very dusty quarry, head down, breathe through your nose till we pass.  Luckily the wind is blowing in the opposite direction so it's not too bad.  The white fine soil is like chalk dust.  


The best part is the downhill on the other side, the road is closed due to a collapse but cyclists can get through.  At the bottom, there is a large gated barrier across the road and we have to move onto a small side opening, wedged between the metal gate and a rock wall, to pass through.  
David goes first, staying on his bike, riding through the narrow gap
  
I get off (of course, sensible!) and walk through, noticing a huge pile of dog shit right in the middle of the narrow opening.  "Oh gosh, I hope you didn't go in the dog shit' I say, 'What dog shit?' David said as he clip's his shoes in and starts riding off, then we both get a huge whiff, saying at the same time, 'oh poo'

Straight through the middle of it, wet dog shit all over his tyre, flicking up onto the frame and his clothes.

See it pays to be cautious.  Another stunning ride, we finish the ride with beautiful coffee and gelato.  


Up earlier today and out the door, our host has given us 90km to do.  The winds are up but I am keen to go Dave reluctantly agrees to come along.  We climb of course, but head through wonderful countryside towards Lake Planes (weird name).  The views are amazing, little Spanish villages clinging to rocky outcrops. I realise the lake is dammed and as we cross the wall, it stinks of Sulphur.  It must ooze out of the limestone rock surrounding the water??


We are riding with a group of Kiwi's today which is a lot of fun.  Our host David, says "look out for the little white church" of which we circumnavigate, cycling through the valleys then up and over passes, looking back on it, as we ride up the last steady climb towards the top.  We meet up with a couple of Spanish cycling brothers, who are very friendly and try to understand our attempts at communicating.


A lovely day with cycling friends, finished off with a quick stop at Xativa Castle and

amazing dinner in town.






















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